The FCC today proposed to allocate 75 megahertz of spectrum for transportation
services to improve highway safety and efficiency as part of the U.S. Department of
Transportation's "Intelligent Transportation Systems" (ITS) national program.

In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today, the FCC asked for
comments on using the 5.850-5.925 GHz band for a variety of Dedicated Short Range
Communications (DSRC) uses, such as travelers' alerts, automatic toll collection, traffic
congestion detection, emergency dispatch services, and electronic inspection of moving trucks
through data transmissions with roadside inspection facilities.

DSRC systems are being designed to provide a short range, wireless link to transfer
information between vehicles and roadside systems. These links will be essential to many ITS
services that are expected to improve traveler safety, decrease traffic congestion, and facilitate
the reduction of air pollution and conservation of fossil fuels. The FCC said providing
additional spectrum for ITS services would further the goals of Congress, the Department of
Transportation and the ITS industry to improve the efficiency of the U.S. transportation
infrastructure and to facilitate the growth of the ITS industry.

The FCC said that the record indicates that the spectral environment and propagation
characteristics of the 5.9 GHz band are appropriate for short range DSRC applications and
would enable sufficient signal coverage and considerable frequency reuse.

The FCC tentatively concluded that DSRC operations, Government radar operations
and FSS Earth-to-space operations should be able to share the spectrum on a co-primary basis
subject to coordination. The FCC also noted that frequency and geographic separation should
enable DSRC operations to share the spectrum with secondary amateur operations. The Notice
requested comment on the spectrum sharing potential of DSRC operations in this band and
further analysis of DSRC spectrum sharing with incumbent operations, including unlicensed
Part 15 devices which may use a portion of the band.

The 75 megahertz allocation for DSRC would foster global research, technological
innovations, and industry standards-setting activities that are expected to result in the
production of affordable DSRC equipment. The plan would encourage wide-area or
nationwide interoperability and the continued development of DSRC services and its emerging
ITS industry.

The FCC proposed basic technical parameters and asked for comment on the need for
nationwide operational standards and a channelization plan. The FCC deferred consideration
of licensing and service rules to a later proceeding.

The Commission adopted the NPRM in response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by
the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. The Commission said that the record in this
proceeding supports the use of ITS services to increase the safety and efficiency of the
Nation's transportation infrastructure, and justifies a proceeding to explore further the radio
spectrum needs of, and to consider this proposed allocation for, a wide range of DSRC-based
ITS services.

Action by the Commission June 11, 1998, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC
98-119).